Yup, that's pretty much my experience too. I feel like he tried to get back on the blues wagon with that Crossroads concert invite, but didn't quite make it. It was sad for me to see cuz I really wanted to like his performance and see him make it back to his roots. Oh well...

I'm a huge SADE fan who has collected her 4 albums & a couple of concert DVDs over the years.

Ten years ago I got the 'sade lovers rock' CD for Christmas. I listened to it once back then & shelved it until today when I tried it out again. Time hasn't made it any better I'm afraid.

While it is technically very well recorded with some dynamic percussion that is quite impressive, none of the material grabbed me like her previous efforts. Furthermore, the 'guitar string noise' on several of the tracks is so prominent & strident (especially on Track #1) that I'm amazed that they allowed them out of the studio that way. This is surprising considering the fact that her back up band is normally outstanding.

Got my copy of the deluxe edition of Cœur de Pirate's Blonde. I like the bonus tracks, so it worked out. I would love to see her put out a performance Blu-ray. An intimate venue with just her and her piano would be perfect.